TV Review: The Big Bang Theory 9×07, “The Spock Resonance”

This week the writers of The Big Bang Theory paid tribute to the legend of Leonard Nimoy while simultaneously highlighting Sheldon’s own resemblance to the character. They’re both disconnected from human emotion and both are logical thinkers. However, the whole point of Spock is that he is half human, and therefore is stull susceptible to emotion. Throughout the episode we see Leonard Nimoy’s son, Adam, making a documentary that he started with his father before he passed away. It’s about Mr. Spock and the impact he’s had on our culture. Our favorite, Wil Wheaton, is helping him out, and he enlists Sheldon to take part in the film as they interview Spock’s biggest fans. It was a nice episode that revealed a lot about Sheldon and his plight with emotions.

Before Sheldon makes his debut on the “Spockumentary,” he calls Amy to let her know about his time in the spotlight and invites her over to come and watch. Penny then gives him some sound words of wisdom before he gets on camera: “Don’t take your shirt off just because the director says so.” Sheldon reminds her this is a film about Spock. If there’s going to be nudity, it’s going to be tasteful. Wil and Adam finally arrive at the apartment, and Adam is a spitting image of Leonard Nimoy. They literally have the same face. It was cool to see him take part in an episode dedicated to his late father. Sheldon, of course, says whatever comes to his head, and mentions the word “scrotum” in their first conversation. A delightful Wil knew his decision to include Sheldon would pay off. Everything Sheldon says is gold.

After setting up the camera, Adam asks Sheldon a series of questions about his memories with the character of Spock. We learn that Sheldon has been admiring him since childhood. From the first episode he ever saw as a child, he was absolutely hooked. Instead of asking “What Would Jesus Do?” as his mother encouraged him to do so in times of trouble, he asked “What Would Spock Do?” And it’s been very helpful since. From dealing with bullies when he was eight years old to dealing with Penny eating his pop tarts now as an adult, he’s tried to emulate the coldness of Spock and tried to rise above human emotion, something that he’s spent his whole life mastering. The problem is that Sheldon hasn’t gotten the point of the character. Yes, Spock is part of a cold, rational world devoid of any human emotion, but as Penny points out to Sheldon, Spock is still half human, so there is feeling within his character.

Adam then asks if Sheldon has any cool collectibles. Locked away in a wall safe is a box with his most valuable possessions. Penny and Leonard are shocked that there’s a wall safe, and are even more shocked when they find out the wall safe was created after the floor safe ran out of room. Also, there’s been a security camera since 2012. Leonard and Penny are feeling instant regret, knowing what they’ve done on that couch. Anyways, locked away in his box is the autographed napkin Penny gave to him several years ago, his will, a Wil Wheaton action figure, and Amy’s engagement ring. Everyone goes berserk after that last one is revealed, and forget they’re standing in the presence of Leonard Nimoy’s DNA (The napkin, not his son). They all want more details on the ring, but Sheldon lashes out, and grows even more frustrated when Penny says that he does have feelings. So he runs to his room, angry and hurt.

After some time, he finally comes out. Wil and Adam have already left, but they’ve got all the material they needed (According to Wil, this is going to be the best documentary ever), and Sheldon has got a plan in motion. He’s going to propose to Amy. Propose! If she says yes, then they can finally move forward. If she says no, then that’s that. There was some cursing in Vulcan, but Leonard assures us that Sheldon doesn’t mean what he said. Unfortunately, as Sheldon is going to make his grand gesture, probably the biggest thing Amy could hope for from Sheldon, he catches her kissing another guy outside her apartment building. He sadly turns around and walks into the night. What would Spock do? We’ll find out next week surely.

On the other side of town, Bernadette is planning on redecorating the house. She wants it to feel like home, her home. As always, Howard brings up his father’s abandonment and his mother’s death to try and dissuade her from her plans, but it’s not working this time. As a compromise, Bernadette offers to start the redecoration process with just one room, and they can see where things go from there. Bernadette brings her father to help them with the renovations, and while there he questions Howard on the subject of children. According to Bernadette, Howard doesn’t want any kids. However, the truth soon comes out, and it’s Bernadette that doesn’t want kids. It was just easier to put the blame on Howard. She thinks that she’ll do all the work with a kid, but Howard reassures her that it will be different. Since his father abandoned him when he was younger, he promised himself that he would always be there for his child. His delivery was so heartfelt that it convinced Bernadette…to think about it. At least thats something.

This was probably the best episode of the season thus far. It felt real and raw, especially with Sheldon’s ongoing emotions about Amy. Plus, it’s always a great episode when Will Wheaton comes into town.

Best Bazingas!

“This is a documentary about Mr. Spock. I’m sure if there’s nudity, it will be tasteful.”—Sheldon

“Visigoths are kind of up my butt right now.”—Howard

“I’m changing everything that depresses me when I look at it. Try not to be one of those things.”—Bernadette

“It’s not everyday I get to meet someone whose life’s journey began in my hero’s scrotum.”—Sheldon

“Aquaman, protecting your home since 2012.”—Sheldon on their security cameras.

“I feel like an archaeologist. Indiana Jones and the Single-Family Dwelling.”—Howard

EPISODE RATING: 9/10